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Bats aren’t blind or flying mice - they're unique and the only mammals capable of true flight. Over 1,400 species exist, including insect-eaters in the Midwest and desert and tropical pollinators that help produce foods like mangoes and chocolate. Most bats have few predators but face threats like white-nose syndrome. They give birth to just one pup a year, which can be one-third their size. And just like us, they have belly buttons too!

Cattails are entirely edible if prepared properly. The brown part, or the spike, is made of tiny flowers: males that contain pollen and females that hold seeds. You can use the pollen in baking or eat green female flowers like corn on the cob after boiling. Peel the stem for a cucumber-like snack, use the leaves in salads, and even dig up rhizomes for a potato-like treat. Always get permission and check with a knowledgeable adult before you taste!

Grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets are all part of the insect order Orthoptera – known for their strong, back legs and sound-making abilities. Males produce sound using stridulation to attract mates. Crickets sing at dusk with a comb-like clicking, katydids call later at night, and grasshoppers call during the day, sounding like sandpaper rubbing. Crickets are dark in color while katydids are a bright green with long antennae and grasshoppers are an earthier green with shor

Northern map turtles are medium-sized turtles found in Illinois, with females larger than males. They live in slow-moving water and are shy, often diving in when disturbed. They eat both plants and animals like insects and crustaceans. Their name comes from the map-like markings on their dark shells.

Dragonflies are harmless and often seen near water. They control insect populations and are indicators of healthy ecosystems. There are 7,000 species of dragonflies worldwide. Damselflies appear similar; however, dragonflies rest with wings out and have bulkier bodies. Dragonflies start their lives in the water and live there for up to 3 years. Their huge eyes offer near 360° vision, UV light detection, and great hunting abilities when paired with their flight skills.

A green layer covering waterways can be duckweed—a tiny, floating plant with a single root and leaf-like thallus. Duckweed reproduces rapidly by cloning and can double in number in less than a day. They also produce the smallest flower known on our planet. In fall, duckweed forms buds called turions that sink and regrow in spring. Though often seen as a nuisance, duckweed supports wildlife in many ways and helps clean polluted water.

Fawns are born with very faint scent due to undeveloped scent glands, making it hard for predators to sniff them out. Their white spots mimic dappled sunlight, camouflaging them in tall grass. Does leave fawns alone to avoid rubbing their scent off on them but stay nearby to nurse. Fawns can walk hours after birth and are weaned by 4 to 5 months. If you find a fawn alone, don’t interfere—its mother is likely close. Only contact a wildlife rehabilitator if it’s injured or cryi

The bald eagle became the U.S. symbol for its striking look and native roots. Its white head and wide wingspan stand out. Found in 49 states, it builds massive nests and eats a varied diet, mostly fish. Though once endangered, conservation helped it recover. Like America, bald eagles are bold, resilient, and big, making them a fitting national mascot.

Ants are essential insects known for their strength, teamwork, and farming skills. With an estimated 20 quadrillion worldwide, they outnumber humans by millions to one. Ants improve soil, farm fungi and aphids, and live in large colonies with complex roles. They can lift thousands of times their body weight and communicate using pheromones and vibrations. Some colonies even span thousands of miles.

Tornadoes are powerful, dangerous storms formed by rotating winds from thunderstorms. The U.S. sees about 1,200 tornadoes yearly, more than any other country. While most common in the Midwest during June and July, they can occur year-round, often between 4 and 9 p.m. Always take tornado warnings seriously and seek shelter in a basement or interior room.

Honeybees die after stinging because their barbed stingers get stuck and tear from their bodies, but other bees, wasps, and hornets can sting multiple times. Only female bees sting, and many bee species don’t sting at all. If stung, remove the stinger quickly, clean the area, and apply ice or a baking soda paste. Use creams or pain relievers for swelling. Seek medical help for stings to the mouth or signs of an allergic reaction.

There are over 12,000 ant species and an estimated 20 quadrillion ants worldwide. Ants live almost everywhere except places like Antarctica. They come in many colors and live in social colonies that can have hundreds of thousands of ants. Each ant has a specific job, and diets vary by species. Ants can carry objects 10 to 50 times their own weight, and some even eat animals larger than themselves.

Dancing in the rain is more than just fun — it’s good for your body, brain and spirit. While storms with thunder and lightning require shelter, a safe, warm rain offers a chance to feel joy, be present and refresh your spirit. Dancing boosts mental health, relieves stress and reconnects you with the moment. So next time it rains safely, let go, dance freely and enjoy every drop — and maybe even spot a rainbow when it’s done.

Southern flying squirrels live in Illinois but are rarely seen because they’re nocturnal. Unlike birds, they don’t truly fly. Instead, they glide using skin flaps between their limbs to glide. They usually glide 20–30 feet but can reach up to 240 feet. Their diet includes acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, mushrooms, insects, and bird eggs.

Static electricity happens when atoms rub together and steal electrons, creating a charge. Like magnets, opposite charges attract. When electrons build up, your hair stands up or you get shocked by metal. You can see static in action with a fun experiment: rub wool on an acrylic sheet, then hold it above crispy rice cereal. The cereal “dances” as it’s pulled toward the charged acrylic.

Galls are plant growths caused by insects like wasps or flies to protect and feed their larvae. A female lays eggs in plant tissue, triggering the plant to form a gall. Galls don’t harm plants and serve as food and shelter for larvae. Predators like birds and squirrels may still break them open. Galls vary in shape, size, and color based on the egg-laying species. Even after larvae leave, galls can shelter other insects.

The spiny softshell turtle stands out with its soft, flat shell and snorkel-like nose. Unlike most turtles, it has thorn-like spines along the edges of their shell and webbed feet that make it a fast swimmer. Found in freshwater habitats across the Midwest, it hides in sandy bottoms and uses its long nose to breathe while buried. Omnivorous and cold-blooded like other turtles, it basks in the sun to warm up. Males stay small and light-colored, while females grow larger and da

Fog is a cloud touching the ground, made of tiny water droplets in the air. In Illinois, radiation fog is most common, forming when the ground cools at night. Cold weather can bring freezing fog, while super fog forms with smoke from wildfires but is rare here. Some places like San Francisco have frequent fog because cold ocean air moves over warmer land, creating thick fog that can reduce visibility.

Carpenter bees drill into wood to nest and lay their eggs. They resemble bumblebees but have shiny abdomens. There is no queen bee, but rather a female hierarchy: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Females can sting but rarely do. Males guard nests but can’t sting. Though sometimes pests, damaging wooden parts of your home, they’re important pollinators and part of the food chain. You can deter them with paint or traps.

Soil and dirt aren’t the same. Soil is a complex mixture of decomposing organic matter and other particles while dirt is just what's left when soil breaks down. Soil contains minerals, organic matter, water and air, all working together to support life. It forms very slowly over time and varies by region. Soil is essential for plants, trees, and crops, and it's alive too! It breathes, needs water and oxygen and contains organisms that keep it healthy.